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These Kids’ Sitcoms Can Be a Drag
Back in the day, aside from Saturday morning cartoons, there wasn’t a ton of kid-friendly shows to choose from. So what’s a kid who doesn’t want to play outside to do? Tune into adult shows! And let me tell you, the sitcoms from my childhood were anything but simple. We’re talking about heavy themes like the Korean War, life in the projects, quirky characters, child abductions, and a slew of frazzled, divorced moms—more than you could shake a Hungry Man dinner at. Even Scooby-Doo couldn’t figure out why Ann Romano was still single! “Ruh-ro, Raggage!”
And if you happened to be sick at home from school? You’d catch reruns of shows from before your time—Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show, The Odd Couple. The characters were relatable, often flawed, mildly depressed, and not exactly supermodels—definitely relatable!
The Disaster of Today’s Kids’ Sitcoms
Now, let’s talk about the disaster that is today’s kids’ sitcoms. I have a 7-year-old son, so trust me, I’ve seen my fair share of this nonsense. The formula is always the same: a group of impossibly attractive kids in trendy clothes, living in massive homes, hardly engaging with their parents, and getting everything they want. And they’re often downright mean, for no good reason at all. These kids will tear each other apart over the smallest things, like how someone looks or acts.
Now, I’m not saying kids can’t be mean—I was no angel myself growing up. I might have had my moments of throwing shade, but at least it had some wit to it. Today’s TV kids, however, have it all and still find ways to complain in the most cringeworthy ways. But the industry likes to call these characters “aspirational.” I’ve been in countless meetings as a TV writer where I’ve been told that kids should look up to characters who are richer, prettier, and more popular than them. Apparently, that’s what we should be encouraging.
To be fair, I did admire the TV characters growing up, too. That’s how I ended up as a somewhat neurotic comedy writer (thanks, Odd Couple), making questionable choices in relationships (hello, Cheers), and spending way too much time in therapy (looking at you, Bob Newhart). But I also turned out to be a kind and loyal friend (shoutout to Mary Tyler Moore).
Navigating the Landscape as a Parent
I definitely don’t want my son aiming to be like the spoiled brats on TV. Sure, I’ve banned a few Disney shows from our home, but I can’t deny him the occasional cringe-worthy episode. So when I watch these shows with him, I do two things: I excuse myself for a moment to collect my thoughts, and then I come back and comment things like, “Wow, that kid is such a brat!” or, “Why is he acting so mean?” or, “Hey, girls can be smart, you know!”
My biggest worry is that my son thinks this stuff is actually funny. To tackle this, I’ve got a two-part plan. First, I’m no longer pretending the bad stuff is good. He values my opinion, so when he asks, “Isn’t that funny?” I’ll respond with something like, “Not really my thing,” or, “Really? Did you not see that coming?” Second, I’m introducing him to the classics. We’re not to Rhoda or One Day at a Time yet, but he’s enjoying the Marx Brothers, and we just started watching The Carol Burnett Show. So far, Dinah Shore’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” has him in stitches—tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks.
We’ve also started watching some more adult sitcoms like Fresh Off the Boat and black-ish. Sure, he doesn’t get all the jokes, and some of the more mature themes fly over his head, but it opens up interesting conversations about race and humor. Plus, the kids on those shows are well-written and relatable. The best part? We can all sit together and laugh, just like I did with my family growing up—because let’s be honest, we’re not going camping anytime soon.
So, if you’re out at your local restaurant and hear a kid complaining about their iPad running low on battery while their dad is having a meltdown, just remember: those kids are simply achieving their goal of being little terrors.
Further Reading
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Summary
In a humorous take, Jamie Thompson reflects on the stark contrast between the sitcoms of her childhood and today’s kids’ shows, which often feature overly attractive, mean-spirited characters. She shares her experiences as a parent navigating this landscape with her son, emphasizing the importance of introducing him to classic shows and ensuring he understands the difference between real-life behavior and what’s depicted on screen.